Nearly 69% of latest Sec 39A proposals in Bardez

Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has processed proposals involving 88,249 sqm of land under Section 39A, with state govt granting final approval for the conversion of 34,527 sqm and the TCP board recommending another 53,722 sqm for public scrutiny. Bardez continues to dominate land conversion activity, accounting for nearly 69% of the total area covered by the latest proposals and approvals.

The largest proposal pertains to 31,869 sqm in Tivim, Bardez, where cultivable land within an irrigation command area has been recommended for conversion to settlement zone, subject to comments from the WRD. Another significant proposal involves 20,000 sqm in Nadora, Bardez, comprising orchard and natural cover land proposed for conversion to settlement use, pending inputs from the forest department and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).

At the same time, govt has issued final orders approving six previously processed Section 39A applications covering a total of 34,527 sqm.

Among the approvals are two adjoining plots in Arpora where a combined 8,619 sqm of natural cover land has been converted to settlement zone. In Arambol, 14,400 sqm comprising orchard land, no-development slope areas and cultivable land has also been approved for conversion to settlement use.

Other approvals include 4,000 sqm in Loutolim, 6,542 sqm in Ella, and 966 sqm in Nagorcem-Palolem.

An analysis of the latest notifications shows that Bardez alone accounts for about 60,488 sqm of land, underscoring its position as the focal point of Section 39A-related zone changes. Large tracts of natural cover, orchard land and cultivable land continue to feature prominently in applications seeking settlement status.

Outside Bardez, proposals are concentrated in Pernem, Salcete and Tiswadi, with smaller applications emerging from Quepem, Sattari and Canacona.

The notifications state that all proposed alterations remain subject to statutory departmental clearances. The final government-approved modifications are also subject to the outcome of pending public interest litigations before the Bombay high court at Goa, where the Section 39A process is under challenge.